Ransom

Ransom tells the story of the Praying Indian Towns period of New England history from 1646-1675 through the eyes of a Narragansett named Job Kattenanit, who struggles with his new Christianity. Like his namesake, suffering, doubt and personal loss plague him. But he’s also the beneficiary of selfless sacrifice, miracles, and blessings, during this period of John Elliot’s ministry that produced the first Bible published in America and thousands of Christian converts. The novelist counts Roger Williams as a direct ancestor and cites sources galore. But before walking in Kattenanit’s moccasins, it seems odd that he did not make sure they were moccasins—his self-admitted through-the-glass-darkly viewpoint does not seem to be informed by Native American origin or viewpoint. This perpetuates Anglo-centric misinterpretations such as describing characters considered “princes” worshipping fearsome “gods,” as well as ignorance of the deeply sacred, egalitarian, animist, and anthropomorphic relationship of the Algonquin people toward the land and animals.

Review

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